Theme a: Relationships and Families | AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062)
Theme a: Relationships and Families
- 97 questions
- 7 subtopics
- Paper 2
- Paper 2
Theme A: Relationships and Families is examined in Paper 2, Thematic studies — one of the four themes chosen, marked out of 24.
It covers human sexuality and homosexual relationships, sex before and outside marriage, contraception and family planning, marriage, cohabitation and same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage, the nature and purpose of families and gender roles, equality and discrimination.
Sample questions from Theme a: Relationships and Families
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Human sexuality and homosexual relationships
What does the Roman Catholic Church teach about homosexual people and homosexual acts?
Show the answer
Catholic teaching holds that homosexual acts are wrong but that a homosexual orientation is not itself a sin. The Catechism says gay people must be treated with respect, compassion and sensitivity. -
Human sexuality and homosexual relationships
What do humanists say about homosexual relationships?
Show the answer
Humanists argue that a relationship is good if it is consensual, honest and harms nobody. Humanists therefore see no moral difference between a same-sex and an opposite-sex relationship. -
Sex before and outside marriage
What is the traditional Christian teaching about when sex is right?
Show the answer
Traditional Christian teaching is that sex belongs only within marriage. Sex is understood as a gift from God that expresses lifelong commitment. -
Sex before and outside marriage
What do humanists say about sex before marriage?
Show the answer
Humanists see no moral problem with sex before marriage between consenting adults. Honesty, consent and responsibility matter to humanists more than marital status. -
Contraception and family planning
Which papal letter set out the Catholic position on contraception?
Show the answer
Humanae Vitae, issued by Pope Paul VI in 1968, restated the Catholic rejection of artificial contraception. The letter argued that marriage joins love and the giving of life. -
Contraception and family planning
What do humanists say about contraception?
Show the answer
Humanists support access to contraception because it lets people plan their lives and reduces suffering. Humanists point to fewer unwanted pregnancies and better health for women. -
Marriage, cohabitation and same-sex marriage
Why do Roman Catholics call marriage a sacrament?
Show the answer
Catholic teaching holds that marriage is one of the seven sacraments, an outward sign of God's grace. The couple make their vows before God and before the Church. -
Marriage, cohabitation and same-sex marriage
Are churches required to conduct same-sex marriages in England and Wales?
Show the answer
Religious organisations cannot be forced to conduct a same-sex marriage. The Church of England and the Church in Wales are specifically barred from doing so by law.
The 7 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Human sexuality and homosexual relationships | Students learn the meaning of human sexuality and of heterosexual and homosexual relationships, differing Christian views and the texts behind them, Muslim, Jewish and humanist views, British law, and homophobia. | 14 |
| Sex before and outside marriage | The subtopic covers sex before and outside marriage, the commandment against adultery and New Testament teaching, contrasting Christian and Muslim beliefs, Jewish and humanist views, and changing attitudes in Britain. | 13 |
| Contraception and family planning | These questions explain contraception and family planning, artificial and natural methods, Catholic and Protestant teaching, contrasting Christian and Muslim beliefs, and Jewish, humanist and other non-religious arguments. | 14 |
| Marriage, cohabitation and same-sex marriage | Students learn the purposes of marriage in Christian teaching, one flesh and permanence, marriage as a sacrament and the vows, Islamic teaching on marriage, cohabitation, and arguments for and against same-sex marriage. | 14 |
| Divorce and remarriage | The subtopic covers divorce and annulment, why marriages break down, Jesus' teaching in Mark and Matthew, Catholic and Church of England positions, ethical arguments, Muslim, Jewish and humanist views, and the 2022 change in the law. | 14 |
| The nature and purpose of families | These questions explain nuclear, extended and other family types, procreation and stability, how Christian and Jewish families pass on their faith, the duties of parents and children, same-sex parents, and polygamy. | 14 |
| Gender roles, equality and discrimination | Students learn gender equality, prejudice and discrimination with British examples and the law, biblical texts used on both sides, the ordination of women, Muslim and Jewish teaching, humanist views, and changing family roles. | 14 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
AQA GCSE Religious Studies A Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 1,734 questions with their answers.